What problems faced the Mormons at Salt Lake, and how did they overcome them?
1. Founding of Salt Lake City
- Founded on 24th July 1847 by Mormon pioneers, including 143 men, three women, and two children.
- Joined by the Mormon Battalion after the Mexican War, they began farming by flooding the hard soil using a dam to soften it and remove salt.
- Built a fort and laid out Salt Lake City’s ground plan. By 1848, houses and some crops awaited new arrivals.
2. Agricultural Challenges
- Crops like wheat, corn, sugar-beet, pumpkins, and potatoes thrived, but land was mainly desert.
- Climate was harsh with cold winters and heavy rains, making roads difficult.
- Summer drought killed cattle unused to dry conditions.
- Grasshoppers were a severe pest in 1848, 1849, 1855, and 1856, destroying crops. The 'miracle of the ' helped, but to little effect.
- Communal irrigation canals sourced mountain meltwater, essential for farming but damaging to soil and crops.
3. Impact of the 1849 Gold Rush
- 1849 Gold Rush bolstered the economy as many 49ers paid the Mormons for supplies.
- Successful miners also paid the Mormons in gold on their return east.
- Brigham Young sent Mormons to mine in California, bringing back gold to be made into , increasing the colony’s purchasing power.
4. Industrial Development
- Industry faced challenges: no local iron, and timber was over 20 miles away.
- Lacked cash; relied on barter or paper slips known as ‘tithing-house ’.
- Salt was abundant and used for trading, though it mostly exchanged for food and livestock.
- Small artisan workshops emerged; cooperative companies formed for larger projects.
- The Mercantile Institution (1868) was the largest, producing shoes and clothing.
- By 1895, industry grew twentyfold but lagged far behind places like San Francisco.
5. Effects of the 1869 Transcontinental Railroad
- Railroad reached 66 miles from Salt Lake City in 1869; a branch line reached the city a year later.
- Improved the economy by allowing raw materials to be transported and goods to be sold nationally.
- Mining for copper, silver, gold, and lead began, and were built.
- A Women's opened a store near the depot, selling goods to travellers and residents.
6. Housing and City Planning
- Salt Lake City was designed on a grid system with central religious and cultural areas and outer farming greenbelts.
- Streets were wide, allowing for large wagons, and homes were set back from streets with gardens. One traveller called it a ‘ of the Desert’.
- Early homes were adobe 'dobies'; by 1855, adobe, wood, and some larger homes were built.
- Education was basic; no desks or books initially, and farming needs kept many children from school.
7. Governance
- A ruled by Brigham Young and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles managed land and labor.
- Equality was emphasized, with each family receiving a 20-acre plot and communal crop sharing.
- Expansion was encouraged, leading to around 500 settlements in Utah and nearby areas by 1900.
- The Perpetual Emigrating Fund helped Mormons migrate to Utah.
8. Conflicts with Indigenous Peoples
- Mormons viewed Indigenous people as descendants of Israel, hoping they would convert.
- Relations deteriorated as the Mormons expanded:
- Battle Creek Massacre (1849): Mormon militia killed 17 Timpanogos.
- Provo War (1850): 90 Mormons killed 40-100 Timpanogos.
- Walker War (1853-54): War ended after Chief and 120 Utes converted.
- Black Hawk War (1865-72): Utes resisted encroachment and reservation life; federal government forced Utes back to Uintah Reservation.
9. Conflict with the U.S. Government
- Young aimed for an independent state of on Mexican land, but the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) transferred the territory to the U.S.
- Congress rejected ‘Deseret’ but created Utah Territory with Young as Governor.
- Federal officials faced intimidation, forcing some to flee in 1851.
- In 1857, U.S. troops were sent to enforce federal laws; Young resisted but avoided outright conflict.
- The Massacre of settlers by disguised Mormons increased tensions.
- Federal government pardoned the Mormons in 1858, leading to Young stepping down as Governor.
- Conflict continued: in 1882, polygamy was declared a felony, and the Mormon Church was outlawed in 1887 until Utah banned polygamy, leading to statehood in 1896.
1. Founding of Salt Lake City
- Founded on 24th July 1847 by Mormon pioneers, including 143 men, three women, and two children.
- Joined by the Mormon Battalion after the Mexican War, they began farming by flooding the hard soil using a dam to soften it and remove salt.
- Built a fort and laid out Salt Lake City’s ground plan. By 1848, ADOBE houses and some crops awaited new arrivals.
2. Agricultural Challenges
- Crops like wheat, corn, sugar-beet, pumpkins, and potatoes thrived, but land was mainly desert.
- Climate was harsh with cold winters and heavy rains, making roads difficult.
- Summer drought killed cattle unused to dry conditions.
- Grasshoppers were a severe pest in 1848, 1849, 1855, and 1856, destroying crops. The 'miracle of the SEAGULLS' helped, but to little effect.
- Communal irrigation canals sourced mountain meltwater, essential for farming but damaging to soil and crops.
3. Impact of the 1849 Gold Rush
- 1849 Gold Rush bolstered the economy as many 49ers paid the Mormons for supplies.
- Successful miners also paid the Mormons in gold on their return east.
- Brigham Young sent Mormons to mine in California, bringing back gold to be made into COIN, increasing the colony’s purchasing power.
4. Industrial Development
- Industry faced challenges: no local iron, and timber was over 20 miles away.
- Lacked cash; relied on barter or paper slips known as ‘tithing-house SCRIP’.
- Salt was abundant and used for trading, though it mostly exchanged for food and livestock.
- Small artisan workshops emerged; cooperative companies formed for larger projects.
- The ZION COOPERATIVE Mercantile Institution (1868) was the largest, producing shoes and clothing.
- By 1895, industry grew twentyfold but lagged far behind places like San Francisco.
5. Effects of the 1869 Transcontinental Railroad
- Railroad reached 66 miles from Salt Lake City in 1869; a branch line reached the city a year later.
- Improved the economy by allowing raw materials to be transported and goods to be sold nationally.
- Mining for copper, silver, gold, and lead began, and SMELTERS were built.
- A Women's RELIEF SOCIETY opened a store near the depot, selling goods to travellers and residents.
6. Housing and City Planning
- Salt Lake City was designed on a grid system with central religious and cultural areas and outer farming greenbelts.
- Streets were wide, allowing for large wagons, and homes were set back from streets with gardens. One traveller called it a ‘DIAMOND of the Desert’.
- Early homes were adobe 'dobies'; by 1855, adobe, wood, and some larger homes were built.
- Education was basic; no desks or books initially, and farming needs kept many children from school.
7. Governance
- A THEOCRACY ruled by Brigham Young and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles managed land and labor.
- Equality was emphasized, with each family receiving a 20-acre plot and communal crop sharing.
- Expansion was encouraged, leading to around 500 settlements in Utah and nearby areas by 1900.
- The Perpetual Emigrating Fund helped Mormons migrate to Utah.
8. Conflicts with Indigenous Peoples
- Mormons viewed Indigenous people as descendants of Israel, hoping they would convert.
- Relations deteriorated as the Mormons expanded:
- Battle Creek Massacre (1849): Mormon militia killed 17 Timpanogos.
- Provo War (1850): 90 Mormons killed 40-100 Timpanogos.
- Walker War (1853-54): War ended after Chief WALKARA and 120 Utes converted.
- Black Hawk War (1865-72): Utes resisted encroachment and reservation life; federal government forced Utes back to Uintah Reservation.
9. Conflict with the U.S. Government
- Young aimed for an independent state of DESERET on Mexican land, but the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) transferred the territory to the U.S.
- Congress rejected ‘Deseret’ but created Utah Territory with Young as Governor.
- Federal officials faced intimidation, forcing some to flee in 1851.
- In 1857, U.S. troops were sent to enforce federal laws; Young resisted but avoided outright conflict.
- The MOUNTAIN MEADOW Massacre of settlers by disguised Mormons increased tensions.
- Federal government pardoned the Mormons in 1858, leading to Young stepping down as Governor.
- Conflict continued: in 1882, polygamy was declared a felony, and the Mormon Church was outlawed in 1887 until Utah banned polygamy, leading to statehood in 1896.
